Kenyan Drake not on plane to Pittsburgh, likely traded

Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake did not travel with the team to Pittsburgh for the NFL’s week eight Monday Night Football clash. Multiple reports have said that the back will likely be dealt to the Detroit Lions or Tennessee Titans before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday.

Detroit Lions front-runner to land Drake

Drake has been brought up in trade talks even before the season began, but multiple reports last Tuesday reported that the Lions contacted the Dolphins’ front office personnel looking to acquire the back after Detroit had to place starting RB Kerryon Johnson on injured reserve.

Drake not loved in four-year Miami career

Drake’s numbers have been down this season with the winless team, but throughout his four-year stint in Miami, he never really positively clashed with any of the team’s coaching staff. He has just 174 yards in six games this season and has been out-produced by RB Mark Walton in the past two weeks. Additionally, Drake has also not been the clear back this season as he came into the regular season campaign in a committee with Kalen Ballage, but Walton has since passed both as of Sunday on Miami’s official depth chart. 

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Titans in the mix with Lions

So far the two teams that have inquired about trading for the disgruntled RB are the Lions and Titans. Miami is reportedly asking for at least a mid round draft pick with the year yet to be reported. The Dolphins currently have double digit draft picks across the 2020 and 2021 drafts. With Johnson on IR for Detroit, it was reported that Ty Johnson would take over for the team moving forward, but in Sunday’s game against the New York Giants he saw just 25 rushing yards and 13 receiving yards and was not the team’s top rusher.

The Titans have had a decent year so far from Derrick Henry (709 total yards, six total TDs in eight games), but a mediocre season overall. Drake could provide the team with a stronger rushing game and another option in a weak passing attack. Tennessee has also signed or traded for two Dolphins in the last year: quarterback Ryan Tannehill and linebacker Cameron Wake.

For Drake he flashed versatility last season. He ran for 535 yards, had 53 catches for 477 yards and scored nine touchdowns. So far this season, Drake’s numbers are nowhere near where he would like them to be, but switching to a more successful offense could salvage his season. The expectations are that Drake will be dealt before the trade deadline which end this Tuesday at 4 o’clock eastern time. 

– Carl Mahler is a Sports Contributor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. Like and follow on Follow @C3Mahler Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.

Kayla Morton contributed to this article.